As you may have already heard, a recently discovered Skype bug is causing random chat messages to be sent to the wrong users. The bug was revealed a few days ago and, according to Skype, is affecting Skype 5.10 for Windows, Skype 5.8 for Mac, Skype 4.0 for Linux and Skype 1.2 for Windows Phone. The messages are sent to the wrong users only when Skype crashes in the middle of a IM session, a situation which can cause anything from a single message to a whole conversation to be sent to an entirely different user from the one you were originally chatting to.

Following the discovery of the bug, Skype has released a hotfix for the Windows, Mac and Linux versions, which you can download on the main Skype page. If you are using an affected version, simply download the new version of Skype for your OS. Although initial reports have claimed the bug to exist on Android and iOS as well, it seems that these versions are clear, at least according to Skype.

The bug doesn’t occur every single time you chat with a friend, and not even every time your client crashes in the middle of an IM session, so you don’t have to worry too much if you don’t think you’ve encountered it. Simply download the hotfix and you’re good to go.

Get the best tips from MakeUseOf in your inbox, free!

Peter James Escobar

July 19, 2012

Since Microsoft bought the Skype it all started the BUGS

Tom Sobieski

July 25, 2012

?
Bug there long before MS

Tom Sobieski

July 25, 2012

Living in Mexico, with all relatives in the US, and friends as far away as New Zealand and Thailand, I use Skype almost every day. I courted my wife on Skype.
Just started using Ubuntu and tried adding Skype from Ubuntu Software center, and was told to go to website and get newest version. Easy enough as far as I’, concerned.

Yaara Lancet

tarzan2001

July 25, 2012

I wish they hadn’t made the ability to share one’s desktop a Premium feature. It came in so handy when teaching my aunts and uncles how to use a computer for the first time!! :( Plus, it was easy to show pics to friends without using lots of bandwidth!

Yaara Lancet

July 25, 2012

That’s a premium feature now? I used to use this all the time, but haven’t needed it lately. If this is true, it’s a very bad decision for them.

tarzan2001

July 26, 2012

Yeah, it’s been that way for at least a few months now. If you want to do a conference video call, that’s also a Premium feature only! :( Ever since M$ purchased Skype, it’s gone way downhill!

Yaara Lancet

July 27, 2012

Oh, so it’s a premium feature for conference calls, but not for just one on one. OK, I knew about that. :)